How sad that the recent glorious weather that enabled thousands of Watford residents, their relatives and their friends from far and wide to bask in the sun and soak up the tranquil atmosphere of Cassiobury Park should generate such a negative headline - Litter makes mockery of park’s green flag award.

That headline implies that somehow the council and its partner Veolia were to blame for the mess.

Nothing could be further from the truth. As Mayor Taylor points out, Veolia staff were on duty throughout the weekend clearing up after irresponsible users who could not be bothered to use the bins provided or better still take their rubbish home with them.

I am pretty sure these same people would be horrified if visitors to their homes had a party in their back garden then walked away leaving empty drink cans and crisp packets behind. So why then do these same people think it is ok to have a picnic in the park and not clear the area they just enjoyed?

Is it too much to ask visitors to our parks to leave them as they find them because someone else will want to enjoy that same space after they have gone?

One other thing that disappointed me was to read that “Members of the public snapped photos of the bags of rubbish”. To what end, might I ask? Is there some new fad I have not yet caught up with?

Sorry if I sound a bit like Victor Meldrew but Cassiobury Park is a source of immense pride to me as a Watford resident let alone a Watford councillor and it angers me that some visitors think it is ok to treat it as a rubbish tip. If you are one of those my advice to you is please stay away from our lovely park.

Cllr Rabi Martins

Liberal Democrat, Central ward

Vice chairman, Watford Borough Council